Oskaloosa Board of Education Approves K-2 Playground Plan
An Oskaloosa Community School District Press Release
New K-2 Playground design set to be completed by the end of summer 2023
OSKALOOSA, IA — At its February 14 meeting, the Oskaloosa Community Schools Board of Directors approved a plan for a new kindergarten-2nd grade playground to be built at Oskaloosa Elementary School.
The plan was presented and recommended by Elementary Principal Alana Hutchinson, who provided a vision statement for the future of OES playgrounds: “Our playgrounds will be kid-centered, fun, magnetic (for students and families), and offer options for ALL kids.”
To assist in developing the plan, OES enlisted feedback from focus groups consisting of kindergarten-2nd grade parents and students, multiple staff groups, and members of the 4th and 5th grade student council. Each group determined priorities for the new playground and its desired features.
Over the course of several months, Principal Hutchinson and the district’s Transportation, Building & Grounds Director Bill Almond met with Park and Playground Consultant Tim Kisgen of Cunningham Recreation to organize a playground plan. The group worked with the district’s $1 million budget to incorporate focus group feedback, accessibility, ADA compliance, and sensory features into the design.
The playground’s sensory and accessibility features will include a ThunderRing for an auditory experience, a 3-in-a-Row game gadget panel, and several free-standing structures to be accessible by wheelchair.
“We are incredibly excited to offer a dynamic, engaging, and accessible playground at our elementary school,” said Mike Fisher, Osky Schools Superintendent. “I would like to thank Principal Hutchinson and Mr. Almond for their dedication to developing this plan and ensuring its accessibility for all students. Through this comprehensive process, they were able to present a sound plan to the board on Tuesday.”
Oskaloosa Elementary and Cunningham Recreation are finalizing a playground design to be shared with the community.
Construction is set to begin this summer and is set to be completed prior to the start of the 2023-24 school year.
